Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Diabetic Patients on Metformin Therapy: A cross-sectional study from Oman

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency amongst diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at general clinics at the University Health Center and diabetes outpatient clinics at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January and December 2017. All Omani adults who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and took metformin were invited to participate in the study. The variables included in this study were age, gender, duration of diabetes, dose and duration of metformin therapy, haemoglobin and glycosylated haemoglobin level. Results: A total of 248 subjects were included (response rate = 95.4%) of which 26 (10.5%) were vitamin B12 deficient and 53 (21.4%) were borderline deficient. The mean daily dose of metformin was highest among vitamin B12 deficient group (1,981 ± 222 mg; P = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is considerable among diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Further research is needed to confirm the need for routine screening and monitoring.Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Prevalence; Metformin; Vitamin B12 Deficiency; Oman

Artificial microRNA-mediated resistance against Oman strain of tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a global spreading begomovirus that is exerting a major restraint on global tomato production. In this transgenic approach, an RNA interference (RNAi)-based construct consisting of sequences of an artificial microRNA (amiRNA), a group of small RNA molecules necessary for plant cell development, signal transduction, and stimulus to biotic and abiotic disease was engineered targeting the AC1/Rep gene of the Oman strain of TYLCV-OM. The Rep-amiRNA constructs presented an effective approach in regulating the expression of the Rep gene against TYLCV as a silencing target to create transgenic Solanum lycopersicum L. plant tolerance against TYLCV infection. Molecular diagnosis by PCR followed by a Southern hybridization analysis were performed to confirm the effectiveness of agrobacterium-mediated transformation in T0/T1-transformed plants. A substantial decrease in virus replication was observed when T1 transgenic tomato plants were challenged with the TYLCV-OM infectious construct. Although natural resistance options against TYLCV infection are not accessible, the current study proposes that genetically transformed tomato plants expressing amiRNA could be a potential approach for engineering tolerance in plants against TYLCV infection and conceivably for the inhibition of viral diseases against different strains of whitefly-transmitted begomoviruses in Oman

Production of shape memory alloy core-sheath friction yarns

This paper describes some studies on the development of shape memory alloy (SMA) core-sheath friction yarns. SMA wires for actuating purposes were utilised as a conductive element in the core-sheath friction yarn. A DREF 3000 friction spinning machine was used to produce the yarns. The conductive yarn was spun with the SMA actuator wire at the core and 100% cotton fibers in the second layer as the sheath producing a yarn called SMA core-sheath friction yarn (SMA CSFY). During spinning, the core-sheath ratio and spinning drum speeds were varied. The main purposes of the study were to evaluate the SMA CSFY single yarn tensile strength and its actuating performance against changes in the spinning process parameters. The results showed that SMA CSFY with the highest spinning drum speed and 60% core gave the highest tensile strength and fastest actuation performance

Some studies on shape memory alloy friction spun yarn

This paper reports on the utilization of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire as a conductive element in core-sheath friction yarn. The yarns were spun using DREF 3000 spinning machine. The yarn consisted of three layers with the SMA wire at the core and 100% cotton fibers at the second layer and as the sheath producing a yarn called SMA Friction Spun Yarn (SMA FSY). Three different core-sheath ratios and spinning drum speeds were used in the spinning process. The objectives were to compare the SMA FSY yarn tensile properties and to understand the influence of the machine process parameters towards the actuating performance under stress-free condition. Results showed that the SMA FSY with 60% core and highest spinning drum speed gave better tensile strength. Additionally, this yarn also gave the fastest initiating deformation below 100 seconds. It can be concluded that the changes in the machine process parameters influenced the tensile and actuating performance of SMA FSY

Effect of Planting Date and Weed Control Methods on Yield and Agronomic Traits of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in Khoy Region

Effects of planting dates and weed control methods on yield and agronomic traits of sunflower was investigated. A factorial experiment based on a complete randomized blocks design with four replications was conducted in 2009. Treatments consisted of three planting date (April 4th, May5th and Juns5th) and five weed control methods, Trifluralin (2 Lit/ha) + Fokus (1.5 Lit/ha), Trifluralin+Nabu-s (3Lit/ha), Trifluralin, Hand weeding and without control. Results indicated that planting dates and weed control methods significantly affected head diameter, 100 grain weight, seed number per head and grain yield. Harvest index and oil percent was affected only by planting dates. The highest grain yield (630.1 g/m2), was produced in the second planting date (May 5) by using Trifluralin+Fokus. Delaying sowing date (after May 5) significantly decreased grain yield. The most important weeds in the experimental site were common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album), field bind weed (Convolvulus arvensis), bastard cabbage (Rapistrum rugosum), flower-of-an-hour (Hibiscus trionum), cockspur grass (Echinochloa colorum) and green bristle grass (Setaria verticillata). It was observed that the dry matter weight sharply varied in all weed species in different planting dates, that is, in the 4th April the dry matter production of common lambsquarter and bastard cabbage, in June 5th planting date were maximum. Dry matter of broad leaf and narrow leaf weeds in the date of May 5th was lower than the other two planting dates. The interaction of planting date ×control methods on head diameter, seed number per head, grain yield and weeds dry matter was significant

Evaluation of Grain Yield and Some Agronomic Traits of Tow Corn (Zea mays) Varieties as a Second Crop under Drought Stress and Application of Cycocel

To evaluate grain yield and some agronomic traits of tow corn varieties as a second crop under drought stress and application of cycocel an experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station of Jahad-Keshavarsi of Khoy during summer growing season of 2005.  Experimental design was a split-split plot based on RCBD with four replications. The factors consisted of irrigation as the main factor with three levels (irrigation after 70±5, 100±5 and 130±5 mm evaporation from class A pan), varieties 260 and 301 of corn as subfactor and application of different rates of cycocel (with and without application) as sub-subfactor. Results showed that drought stress reduced plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and the leaf area index, biological yield and grain yield. Application of cycocel increased the stem diameter, biological yield and grain yield as compared with not application of cycocel. Generally, It can be concluded that irrigation after 70 mm evaporation and the application of cycocel can play major roles in increasing corn grain yield

Effect of Micronutrients on Growth and Yield of Pinto Bean under Irrigation– cutback Treatments

To study the effect of micronutrients and irrigation cutback at different development stages on vegetative characteristics and yield of pinto bean (Talash cultivar), an experiment was carried out at Agricultural Research Station of Khoy in 2009. This experiment was performed as strip split plots based on randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications. Treatments included irrigation as the main factor at 3 levels (conventional irrigation (control), irrigation cutback at podding stage, irrigation cutback at seed-filling stage), and application of micronutrients (boron, zinc and manganese) as sub factor at 4 levels (soil treatment, one foliar application, two foliar applications, and control (no micronutrients application)). According to the results, irrigation levels had significant effects on height of the first branch above the ground, stem diameter, seed yield, biological yield and protein content of the seeds. By irrigation cutback at podding and seed-filling stages, the seed yield decreased from 2647 kg/ha to 1269 and 1920 kg/ha, respectively. Micronutrients treatments had also significant effects on number of branches per plant, height of the first branch above the ground, stem diameter, seed yield, biological yield and protein percent. The highest seed yield (2379 kg/ha) was in two foliar applications, which was 893 kg/ha more than control (no micronutrients application). The highest protien content (26.8%) belonged to irrigation at control level and two foliar applications of micronutrients. The general result of this research shows that due to high sensitivity of pinto bean to water deficiency, irrigation at conventional level with two foliar applications of micronutrients is recommendable to improve its growth